The Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office has taken action in response to a series of break-ins in Encino and West Los Angeles. To support the victims and communities affected by residential burglaries, they have established a dedicated hotline.
“Every Angeleno deserves a sense of safety and security in their own home, which is why residential burglaries are considered a direct assault on these fundamental rights,” emphasized District Attorney George Gascón. He acknowledged the deeply personal and traumatic nature of these crimes and emphasized the importance of holding perpetrators accountable to restore peace and security within the community.
Residents in West LA are now facing a new threat from thieves. Surveillance footage captured a group of masked individuals attempting to break into a house in Bel Air on Saturday night. Although their efforts were unsuccessful, a neighboring Brentwood community reported that other suspects had managed to break into homes while the occupants were still inside.
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Brentwood resident Carolyn Jordan expressed her concern about the recent spike in home invasions, specifically noting that there were two incidents where the residents were at home within just eight days.
A virtual community meeting on Wednesday night saw a massive turnout of neighbors after the Los Angeles Police Department issued an alert regarding organized crews targeting homes in various West LA communities earlier this week.
LAPD Captain Richard Gabaldon stated that burglary crews from South Central LA have been observed to be more audacious compared to South American crews. These groups demonstrate a lack of intimidation towards homeowners.
According to Gabaldon, the police have increased their patrols in the area. As part of these efforts, a horse-mounted unit is now walking through the neighborhoods on Wednesdays. In addition, a homeowner in the Cheviot Hills neighborhood recently reported a break-in, leading to an arrest.
“We had a unit that was not responding to radio calls,” he said, “and we were concerned about the situation. However, we were able to quickly react and provide a response within a minute and a half.”
Neighborhood leaders and homeowners are also considering taking matters into their own hands. To enhance security, residents on Homewood Road have taken proactive measures, such as installing a license plate surveillance system, hiring around-the-clock security personnel, and establishing an active neighborhood watch program.
According to Jordan, Brentwood is not a destination known for its crime rate.
If you have any information about residential burglaries, the District Attorney’s office is urging you to call (877) 542-9370.
“We are here to listen and address the concerns of our community actively,” emphasized District Attorney Gascón. “If you happen to possess any information regarding a residential burglary, we strongly encourage you to reach out to us. Your valuable tips have the potential to greatly impact the resolution of these crimes, ultimately ensuring the safety of our neighborhoods.”
Lesley Marin became a part of the CBS2 Los Angeles news team in November 2019, where she serves as a general assignment reporter. Additionally, she contributes to anchoring CBS News Los Angeles during the weekends.
